Storyline: This is the main reason people play RPGs and the storyline has been taken to a new level on Xbox. Many people argued that the twists and turns of KOTOR were better than the scripts of the Episode I and II. Nowadays, people don't just want to save the world from unstoppable evil. They want to make friends, fall in love, and watch their character develop as the game progresses.

Innovation: What new elements of gameplay does the developer bring to the genre? How does a game take an old genre, concept, or play mechanic and reinvent it? An original and innovative game does something that few if any games have done before it and does it extremely well.

Combat System: It may seem strange to RPG purists, but there is not one turn based game on our list. Almost every role playing game on Xbox is action oriented and each one approaches the genre from a different angle. Our favorite combat systems are easy to use, deep, and most importantly, fun.

Exclusivity: Many Xbox games are entirely exclusive to Microsoft's system. We gave high priority to these games, but we would be foolish to ignore the impressive array of multi-console games that are top-notch and that beat out other system versions.

Why We Picked It:Knights of the Old Republic II was a lot like the first installment, meaning it was a great game. The biggest complaint about the game was that it didn't advance the series, but the foundation on which it was built was strong enough to satisfy the fan's needs for more Star Wars goodness.

The option to play on the light or dark side offers two distinct experiences. Obsidian also added a character influence system that let players drag their cohorts down the path of the dark side if they so choose.

Why We Picked It:Considering that Fable was supposed be the greatest RPG of all time it is not surprising that it made this list. While it wasn't as long or as immersive as some fans had hoped, it did add a new level of immersion to the genre. The NPCs in Fable have lives that include eating, sleeping, and reacting to valiant hero or evil lord that enters their town. After interacting with people in Albion, NPCs in other games feel like little more than cardboard cutouts.

The sandbox features and growth of the main character meant that Fable was a joy to play even when players weren't particularly doing anything. As genres continue to merge in videogames, this RPG took the first step towards giving players a robust alternate life.

Why We Picked It:Morrowind offered us what few console games had even attempted: freedom. Here is a game that gave the player few guidelines and even less restrictions. Did the shopkeeper make you angry? Wait until he looks away and steal all of his goods. Or better yet, kill him and use his shop as a temporary home. The choice on how to make your way through the world is yours and yours alone.

While the story is at times confusing and the game engine more than a little flawed, the sheer size of the world is so impressive that one could easily be sucked into it. With a great character creation system and incentive to explore every bit of the vast world, Morrowind gives you more than enough reasons to keep playing long past your bedtime.